WASHINGTON, D.C. — Cape May County established an exhibit at the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., after New Jersey declined to send an official state delegation to the event. U.S. Representative Jeff Van Drew invited Cape May County to participate in the fair after the state's decision.

The Great American State Fair opened the week prior to the article's publication and is scheduled to run for 16 days. The fair is intended to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States. New Jersey was among approximately 11 states that declined to send official delegations.

A spokesperson for Governor Mikie Sherrill referred inquiries about New Jersey's non-participation to Choose New Jersey, a nonprofit organization focused on promoting tourism to the state. Republican Representative Jeff Van Drew, who represents New Jersey's 2nd District, extended the invitation to Cape May County.

The Cape May County exhibit features a sand sculpture of the Cape May shoreline. Brendan Schaffer, an art teacher in the Wildwood public schools, created the sculpture. Schaffer and a team of three spent four days constructing the sand sculpture. The sand used for the sculpture was transported from Annapolis, Maryland, as New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regulations prohibit removing sand from state beaches. The sand sculpture has sustained damage from visitors touching it.

The New Jersey exhibit at the fair also includes two AI-generated images of George Washington; one depicts him riding a rollercoaster with children, and the other shows him reclining on a beach. The exhibit additionally includes salt water taffy from Douglass Candies and videos from the county's tourism archive.

Diane Wieland, the Tourism Director for Cape May County, said, "Our premise was to bring the beach to D.C." Wieland promotes the term "Jersey Cape" for branding purposes. "We try to push the Jersey Cape as much as we can so people mentally can say, 'I know where that is,'" she added. Kevin Lare, the County Administrator for Cape May County, stated that the county board of commissioners has rotated shifts at the tent. Lare stated, "Being the best in show is the goal."